Ban hails Costa Rica as ‘model’ for development, peace

On first official visit, Ban hails Costa Rica as
‘model’ for development, peace

30 July 2014

On
his first official visit, United Nations Secretary General
Ban Ki-moon lauded Costa Rica as a “model country” in
sustainable development and protecting human rights.

Speaking to reporters ahead of his address to
Inter-American Court of Human Rights, Mr. Ban said that
Costa Rica led by example on many international issues
including environmental sustainability, and highlighted its
clean air and preserved forests. The Central American nation
is also a trail blazer in peace and security due to its
disarmament policy, he said.

“You are one of the few
countries which does not maintain an army. You are one of
the few countries in the region where people can freely walk
around without feeling any fear of danger or threats,” Mr.
Ban added, emphasizing how essential political stability is
for development.

“You have also shown strong leadership
in meeting the Millennium Development Goals and you have
shown your leadership in shaping the future development
agenda, post-2015 development agenda for the sustainable
future of our world -social, economic and environmental
dimensions.”

He welcomed UN efforts on climate change
led by a fellow Costa Rican citizen, Christiana Figueres,
the Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC). Costa Rica must send a strong and
ambitious message during the climate change summit meeting
on 23 September.

On other matters, Mr. Ban condemned the
attack in Gaza on yet another UN school sheltering thousands
of Palestinian families saying that “nothing is more
shameful than attacking sleeping children.” At least 16
civilians were killed in that attack. The total human toll
in Gaza now stands at almost 1,300 people, and almost 6,000
people have been wounded.

The precise location of this
Jabalia Elementary Girls School had been communicated to the
Israeli military authorities 17 times - as recently as last
night, just a few hours before the attack. Israeli forces
were aware of the coordinates and exact locations where
these people are being sheltered, Ban said. The UN is
currently hosting 140,000 displaced persons in its
facilities.

Later in the day, at a joint press conference
with Manuel Gonzalez Sanz, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr.
Ban told reporters that he had also met with President Luis
Guillermo Solís. The officials discussed security in
Central America, the Millennium Development Goals, the
post-2015 development agenda, climate change, and many other
issues relating to disarmament and peace and
security.

“We also discussed the plight of migrants,
especially unaccompanied children. Beyond Costa Rica, tens
of thousands of Central American children are vulnerable and
suffering at the hands of traffickers, said the UN chief,
adding: “On this World Day against Trafficking in Persons,
I repeat my call on countries of origin, transit and
destination to urgently protect the lives and safety of
migrant children.”

He went on to laud the Government’s
recent efforts to end discrimination and welcomed steps
taken to promote intercultural dialogue with indigenous
peoples.

“I praise moves towards recognizing the equal
rights of all people regardless of ethnicity, sexual
orientation, gender identity or other differences,” said
the Secretary-General, adding that he was also pleased to
learn that recently, President Solís raised the diversity
flag for the first time in the Presidential House.

“I
also encourage a stronger push to end violence against women
– building on the impressive successes in ensuring their
equal participation in decision-making.”

Mr. B also
noted that he would meet with indigenous representatives
today. “Their full participation in decision-making is
essential. The United Nations is working closely with Costa
Rica for greater progress,” he
added.

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